[jcmanson]

I saw this one coming. With the 3 verbals we got last week, and with his sis going elsewhere, I figured he would probably not be coming here. I'm sure McKay knew this before he offered these other bigs.

[paradox]

Stephene won't be playing this year (academics). What about next year? We'll have to see what developes. If he's not in for next year, then we have two more scholarships to give.

[kel varson]

Chip Richmond never went to school, or least never played college ball. If he did go to school it was for less than a year.

"Should we consider leaving the BSC?" If you consider winning be a pre-requisite, I'd say wait because I'm not sold on any of our talent. I'm optimistic, but definitely not buying my NCAA tickets yet.

[paradox]

When the opportunity presents itself, you move up.

[Cider Jim]

We're not talking about moving up to the ACC or SEC, but there are certainly mid-major conferences between the Big South and the big boys that we should eventually be considering.

[LUconn]

I don't think us considering a conference is the problem

[kel varson]

I don't think us considering a conference is the problem

No I don't think it really makes a difference either. Even if we haven't won much in the BSC. We have what should be a good coach and recruiter and a great University. A better conference would just make recruiting that much easier. Elon hasn't won in basketball but they moved up and their football team is doing pretty well.

[Radar]

I think I read roughly 36 posts prior about McMasters getting interest from big name schools and if that was indeed true. It is true The following had shown interest in him:
Clemson
Wake Forest
Tennessee
South Carolina
Virgina Tech
Virginia
Vanderbilt
West Virginia
Kentucky--Tubby Smith (BG--before Gopher) came and scouted one of McMaster's games

My understanding is that there are quite a few people in Tenn, especially the Chattaboogie area that are not pleased with Carter's decision. As far as changing conferences, I think it would be wise for Liberty to play where they're at, spank some teams, build a rep, then move on. Look at the pub that Winthrop has received over the last few years.

[jcmanson]

Dude, let us just win the conference more frequently than once every 10 years before we start talking about spanking everyone in the conference.

[Cider Jim]

From the USA Today:

Flames hottest mid-major school last week

Liberty took the honors of the best mid-major program on the recruiting trail last week. New coach Ritchie McKay landed a trio of prospects. One was North Carolina guard Seth Curry, the son of former NBA guard Dell Curry and younger brother of Davidson star Stephen Curry.

Curry is joined by Tennessee big man Carter McMasters, a good shooting forward that was recruited by high-majors less than a year ago. Also making a pledge was Arizona big man Austin Smith.

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/recruiti ... etball.htm

[LUconn]

Wow, that is relatively impressive for us. I gotta tell you, I was a little worried when we hired McKay but he is certainly making me feel better about the decision every day.

[thepostman]

I agree LUConn...I don't know if I was worried..but I wasn't sure what to think, but its look better and better....but again just because a recruiting class looks good, doesn't always mean its going to turn out in our favor....RD had some good recruiting classes too

I am not saying McKay is another RD...but because of RD I am just cautiously optimisitic

[El Scorcho]

Impressive indeed.

Now let's make something happen on the court.

[thesportscritic]

I agree LUConn...I don't know if I was worried..but I wasn't sure what to think, but its look better and better....but again just because a recruiting class looks good, doesn't always mean its going to turn out in our favor....RD had some good recruiting classes too

I am not saying McKay is another RD...but because of RD I am just cautiously optimisitic

totally different coaching staff. hope they all work out for us.

[paradox]

We just need to add a physical presence in the middle to offset the finesse game of McMasters. That would appear to be the missing piece of the puzzle at the moment.

[thepostman]

I agree LUConn...I don't know if I was worried..but I wasn't sure what to think, but its look better and better....but again just because a recruiting class looks good, doesn't always mean its going to turn out in our favor....RD had some good recruiting classes too

I am not saying McKay is another RD...but because of RD I am just cautiously optimisitic

totally different coaching staff. hope they all work out for us.

i know...but I'd much rather be cautiously optimistic then be disappointed later down the line....I hope these guys do well, and so far McKay is doing one heck of a job

[kel varson]

I agree LUConn...I don't know if I was worried..but I wasn't sure what to think, but its look better and better....but again just because a recruiting class looks good, doesn't always mean its going to turn out in our favor....RD had some good recruiting classes too

I am not saying McKay is another RD...but because of RD I am just cautiously optimisitic

totally different coaching staff. hope they all work out for us.

i know...but I'd much rather be cautiously optimistic then be disappointed later down the line....I hope these guys do well, and so far McKay is doing one heck of a job

Cautious optimism always beats reckless optimism.

[kel varson]

http://scouthoops.scout.com/2/681893.html

A little more stuff.

[LUconn]

oooo, attention from Telep, himself.

[TDDance234]

Some impressive press--hopefully it translate to something on the court.

[Cider Jim]

We just need to add a physical presence in the middle to offset the finesse game of McMasters. That would appear to be the missing piece of the puzzle at the moment.

Two words--Austin Smith.

[paradox]

I like the idea. He could be a Sarchet-type player for us as a center. We still need to add some depth there--ideally a defensive minded banger.

[Rocketfan]

I like the idea. He could be a Sarchet-type player for us as a center. We still need to add some depth there--ideally a defensive minded banger.

I don't want any big "soft" guys on the inside.....you may but i don't.

[kel varson]

I like the idea. He could be a Sarchet-type player for us as a center. We still need to add some depth there--ideally a defensive minded banger.

I don't want any big "soft" guys on the inside.....you may but i don't.

So you would make the 6-10 guy a wing? Not that I have problem with it. If our rebounding is adequate and as long as he can handle the ball he should be fine.

[Rocketfan]

I like the idea. He could be a Sarchet-type player for us as a center. We still need to add some depth there--ideally a defensive minded banger.

I don't want any big "soft" guys on the inside.....you may but i don't.

So you would make the 6-10 guy a wing? Not that I have problem with it. If our rebounding is adequate and as long as he can handle the ball he should be fine.

This guys seems to have the talent to play a few positions it would appear.....but comparing him to sarchet in my opinion is no complement, plus he wasn't a banger at all.